Picture frame



M. DARCHE PICTURE FRAME June 8, 1943.

Filed Dec. 24, 1941 R 0 3w T. NM *m m 4 n 8 .K r U, 0 M

BY 6 VUvn-Ma Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PICTURE FRAME Maurice Darehe, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application December 24, 1941, Serial No. 424,260

4(laims.

This invention relates to picture frames and has for an object the provision of a frame with a music box mounted thereon, improved means for mounting the box on the frame, improved means for controlling the operation of the music box when the frame is picked up from its base support and replaced thereon, and improved means for mounting and actuating the music box controls.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing thereof, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the frame and music box;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the music box and controls with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with some parts shown in section and with the controls in playing position; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the frame ll, of the easel type, has a hinged leg support H and a back I! which is removable by sliding it out of retaining guides at the bottom.

Upon the back l2 near the bottom center there is mounted a music box is provided with a control rod [6 which is urged downward toward a position in which its end stands below the base plane through the lower edges of the frame and its leg support. The rod It carries an element or ball i1 having a rounded end adapted to engage and slide on the base support or table top II without injuring it. The leg support is provided with an openingi! to pass the music box so that the support may be folded flat against the back of the frame. It will be noted that the music box is placed in a proper location on the back of the frame to utilize the weight of the frame, which is considerable, in operating the control rod It. This disposition also permits the music box and its back to be quickly introduced in place of the usual back. Thus mounted, the music box does not fall against the frame, to cause injury to one or the other, as might occur if the music box were mounted on the leg support. It is also completely hidden from the front by the frame. The end of the control rod I3 is disposed between the frame and the leg support, where it will be pushed up gradually when the frame is put down and leaned backward in the usual way.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the music box comprises a housing or case 25 and the playing mechanism It. The motor drive 21, for example a spring motor, may be wound up by a key 28 extending out of the back.

A control lever 33 hinged at 3| is provided at the front end with a lateral projection 32 adapted to enter a recess 33 in the end of the picker drum 34 and is constantly urged in this direction by 1;. spring 35. Upon one turn of the drum after release, the projection 32 will fall into the recess 38 and halt the playing if the spring 35 is permitted to keep the projection pressed against the end of the drum.

The rear end 33 of the control lever 3| is adapted to engage the speed control or governor vanes 31 and stop their rotation when the projection 32 falls into the recess 33.

The control rod I3 within the case 23 is mounted for axial sliding movement in the guides ll which are adjustably secured by screws it passing through laterally elongated acfiustment slots 42 in a plate 43. The screws are secured in the metal casing wall H of the music box mechanism. The control rod is urged downward by a spring 43 which is heavier than the lever spring 35 and acts in the opposite direction.

The control rod I3 is provided with a slot 33 which embraces the rear end of the control lever 3!. The upper end edge of this slot is adapted to engage the lever and move it down, thus raising the projection 32 from'the recess 33 against the urging of the lighter spring 35. The lower end edge of the slot 53 stands clear of the control lever at all times.

The spring 46 is anchored at one end to the control rod i6 and at the other end to a projection II carried by the plate 43. This projection conveniently may be one of the rod guides. Where the spring passes the end of the lever 30 it is kept clear thereof by a projecting piece 52 which is also secured to the plate 43.

It is thus seen that the control rod and its supports, guides and actuating means are all disposed in a single assembly which is secured in adjusted position relative to the end of control lever 83 by the screw and slot attaching means.

In operation, when the frame is resting on a table, the music box is inoperative provided the drum has completed one revolution after the last release. When the frame is picked up the rod I6 is pushed down by the heavy spring 45 and this pushes dom the rear end of the lever 33 against the light spring 35, thus raising the detent 32 oi the lever from the notch 33 and allowing the picker drum 34 to be rotated. If the frame is put down the rod 16 will be pushed up by contact with the table to release the lever 3| for halting the operation after a complete turn of the drum. If the frame is kept in a raised position the mechanism will continue to play until the motor runs down.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that the invention may have various embodiments within the limits of the prior art and the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the kind described, comprising in combination, a front frame, a hinged easel leg support for holding. the frame in an inclined position on a table, a back slidably mounted in the frame and firmly secured in its guides against removal except by a force which is much greater than that of normal use, a music box mounted on said back, and a playing control member pro- Jecting from the music box immediately behind the front frame substantially parallel thereto for engaging the table when the frame and leg support are placed thereon, said support being open at the lower end to provide a two-point support and to embrace the music box to permit the leg to be folded flat against the back of the frame.

2. A device of the kind described, comprising in combination, a front frame, an easel leg support for holding the frame in an inclined position on a table, a removable back for said frame, a mounting plate secured on the rear face of the back by screws entered from the front side, a music box housing fitting the sides of said plate and secured thereto by screws which enter laterally from the side, a music box playing mechanism assembly secured at its back inside the back cover of said housing, a control lever included in said playing mechanism, a, guide plate attached to the frame of the playing mechanism, a vertically movable slotted control rod mounted in guides on said guide plate with its slot embracing the end of said control lever extending at its outer end from the bottom of said housing to engage the tabie immediately behind the frame when the frame is placed thereon, a spring urging said lever to stop the playing mechanism at the end of the record, and a stronger spring urging said rod toward a table to release the lever when the frame is lifted, the rod being moved in the opposite direction to stand clear of the lever when the frame is replaced on the table.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, further characterized by the fact that said guide plate, control rod and spring are assembled as a unit which is secured to the frame of the playing mechanism by screws in transversely elongated openings which permit adjustment of the slot in the rod relative to the control lever.

4. A device of the kind described, comprising I in combination, a front frame, an easelleg support for holding the frame in an inclined position on a table, a back for said frame, a music box secured to said back, a control lever in said music box, a slidable vertically table-engaging control rod mounted immediately behind the front frame as a unit with a guide plate secured to the frame of the music box, a spring urging the lever in a direction to stop the playing mechanism after the record has been played, and a stronger spring urging said control rod to actuate the lever in the releasing direction when the frame is lifted from the table.

MAURICE DARCHE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,521,565. June 3, 191

MAURICE DARCEEQ It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of theabove numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec-- 0nd column, line 26, claim 1;, for the words slidable vertically read -vertica lly s1idab1e; and that the said Letters Patent should be rea d with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record or the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealedthis 20th day of July, A. D. 1915.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,521,565. June a, 191

wunucn DARCHE.

'It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the'above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 26, claim 14,, for the words slidable vertically" read vertically s1ideb1e-; and that the said Letters Patent should be reed with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record 01 the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and seeledvthis 20th day of July, A. D. 193+ Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

